It's Not Like I Want to Play the Role of a Misunderstood, Good-for-Nothing Prince in a Villainess Story! - Chapter 64 – A Certain Quasi-Baron's Troubles

Doldi Warden’s Perspective

“Here we are. We’ve arrived.”

When I got off the carriage, there was a faint strange smell.

I was told the details would be explained on site, so I came with almost no information, but apparently a hot spring had emerged here, and I was supposed to govern this place as my territory.

Though they say territory…

At the moment, it was just a construction site with no residents, and it was unclear how many people would come in the future.

Even though I was going from a quasi-knight baron without territory to having land, what was I supposed to do with a place like this?

Wouldn’t it be better to just keep quietly working as a low-level official and helping the neighboring farmers on my days off like before?

Indeed, I was being worked hard for cheap wages, so maybe this was better, but the recommender…

Prince Zeke, who held first succession rights to the throne.

According to rumors, he was famous as a good-for-nothing prince even at the tax office in the annex at the palace.

That said, apparently he did have some fanatical fans in certain quarters.

For example, Marquis Claudia and Marquis Ribauto who had territory in the east.

They were famous as the Prince’s faction. Marquis Claudia even made his beloved daughter the Prince’s betrothed.

There must be something to it.

My wife Lean was worried, but our daughter… Stella didn’t speak badly of him either.

Rather, she praised him as quite a caring and good-natured person.

Stella was a good girl, but maybe she was being deceived?

I was recommended but had never met the Prince myself, so I didn’t know what kind of guy he was.

If he was some kind of fraud, I had to give him a piece of my mind for Stella’s sake… no, with my status I couldn’t say anything.

At worst, I had to stop Stella.

“As a father…”

“You’re Doldi-sama, correct?”

“Yes!”

A soldier was saluting crisply.

“We’ve been waiting for you. This way, please.”

I was guided as directed to a hut on a hill.

“The masters are waiting inside.”

“Y-yes.”

These soldiers seemed more properly trained than the bored-looking guards standing around the capital.

The Prince’s private soldiers? The capital knight order he was supposedly close to? But the uniforms seemed different…

As I entered while thinking in my head, the two people sitting stood up at once.

“We’ve been waiting.”

“Count Tufal!”

“Oh? You know me?”

A gentle smile with blonde hair and blue eyes—a kind-looking atmosphere.

But I knew better. This guy was dangerous.

When I worked as an official, his name came up as one of the nobles to be wary of.

A close aide among close aides who had wielded power at His Majesty’s side since his youth.

A man who held vast territory near the capital, raised a powerful private army there, and politically crushed troublesome surrounding nobles and destroyed nobles who didn’t have good feelings toward the royal family.

The fire of confidence in my heart was instantly extinguished.

This was bad. If I did something wrong, I might not see my family tomorrow.

“Hmm, if you know me, this will be quick. And this person is…”

Count Tufal directed his gaze.

“Nice to meet you, I’m Zeke. Your daughter has been in my care. Pleased to meet you.”

The one who spoke politely was Prince Zeke.

A boy with red hair and a cool, very well-arranged face.

He was taller than I expected and looked intelligent.

When he offered his hand, the moment I nervously grasped it, a cold sweat trickled down my back.

As an official, I’d worked a job that didn’t involve much physical activity, but I was originally a man who rose up by distinguishing myself with the sword.

I could tell someone’s ability.

That’s why, shaking hands with the Prince, I realized it instantly.

This guy is incredibly strong.

He definitely didn’t look strong. His arms weren’t thick either.

He had a slender, rather well-balanced physique.

Yet what was this heavy mass and gripped sensation?

I had enough physical strength not to lose to medium-sized monsters, but if we fought, I’d probably lose in strength in an instant.

He’s the same age as Stella, right? What’s going on?

“Well, now that greetings are done, please sit. Let’s get right to explaining this place…”

Count Tufal gave a lengthy explanation.

What I learned from it was that this place was quite a gold mine.

Once construction finished, they would open this place for business, and the state would pay for the roads and buildings, after which the profits would be split between the state and me.

The ratio was, well, naturally more for the state, but according to the explanation, it would be quite profitable.

I could definitely have a better life than now.

Furthermore, until construction was finished, I would be transferred from official to assistant site supervisor here, with the state paying me a salary.

Nearly three times my official’s pay. Isn’t that too good?

—Also.

“Um… am I really the lord here? And quasi-baron…”

“Ah, that’s right. As a result of Prince Zeke’s recommendation, you’ve been promoted to quasi-baron. Well, it’s a selection, but according to reports, you’re a civil official who can also use a sword. We have high expectations.”

“Y-yes! Of course!”

A proper noble! Also, why me? No, no, no, still, this is a welcome development.

I could give Lean and Stella a good life.

“Now, to continue the explanation…”

“Count Tufal? Couldn’t the knights’ garrison here be made a bit larger? It seems a bit small.”

When Prince Zeke interjected while looking at the map, Count Tufal’s eyes narrowed.

“Prince, by my estimation, the number of people in this document should be sufficient, but do you think it should be changed?”

“Yes, it won’t be enough.”

Wait, didn’t Count Tufal just get irritated with the Prince… Prince, why are you going against Count Tufal’s decision?

“First, this number can handle disturbances within this wide space, but have you forgotten there’s a master deep in there? The story is that it usually doesn’t come this far, but if it comes like last time… if it comes when dignitaries from other countries are here… I think it would be difficult to handle.”

While Count Tufal was radiating intimidation, the Prince continued speaking without paying it any mind.

Also, this mountain has something called a master?

As I watched to see what would happen, Count Tufal placed his hand near his mouth, made a show of thinking for a moment, then nodded.

“Understood, let’s do as you say, Prince. Indeed, considering that dignitaries from other countries will come, a cautious approach may be more appropriate. If the Prince who actually dealt with it says so, let’s follow that.”

After that as well, the Prince interjected during the explanation several times, and Count Tufal redrew the blueprints.

They were all correct, and for some reason, Count Tufal’s mouth was relaxed.

Eh, is he pleased?

“That’s about all that caught my attention. Pardon my interruptions.”

“No, no, Prince Zeke’s opinions were all necessary. Please lend us your wisdom if anything comes up in the future.”

“Ahaha, as much as you want if my meager wisdom will do!”

“Fufu… Well then, since we’ve finished talking, let’s have a meal. I’ve had food prepared at the mansion.”

While saying this, Count Tufal called for an escort soldier.

After Prince Zeke went out first and I was about to leave as well, my shoulder was grabbed from behind.

“Quasi-Baron Doldi. I’ll back you up, and the Prince will probably look after you to some extent… Envoys from the church might come, but never listen to what they say, understood?”

“Th-the church?”

Eh, so is this land that important? All the more, why am I the lord here?

While I was confused, the hand gripping me tightened further.

“There’s an aspect of rushing the personnel selection for that reason, but I also trust Prince Zeke’s eye for people. So by all means, don’t betray our trust, understood?”

Saying only that, Count Tufal went outside the hut first.

On the way out.

I heard him murmur something.

The Prince is sharper than expected, that’s good…

“Haaa…”

This feeling—I’m completely counted as a head in Prince Zeke’s faction, aren’t I?

Maybe I’ve gotten involved in quite a troublesome matter.

“What should I tell Lean and Stella…”